The City and its Titles
As part of the history of Santiago de Cuba we cannot forget the different honorary titles the city has been given as recognition, thus positioning it among the most distinguished cities on the island and the Caribbean region. The Excelencias Group will now shed light on it.
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The first title is “VERY NOBLE AND LOYAL”, conferred by the Royal Township on February 14, 1712, a title given by the Crown to the Santiago neighbors, who were commanded by Juan Barón de Chávez, governor of the Eastern Department, and organized an expedition with 150 men in 1704 to invade and plunder Bahamas’ Providencia and Siguatey isles, dominated by England. They returned with a wealthy booty, several prisoners and weapons.
The second one was “HOSPITABLE OF THE AMERICAS”, in May 1822, this time around it was an initiative of thousands of immigrants that, in the late 18th century and early 19th, arrived in the coasts of the city, coming from Saint-Domingue, after the Haitian revolution, and continental America. These immigrants found a space to fit in and counted on the unconditional support of many of the inhabitants.
Years later, in March 1874, right when the Ten Year World was going through crucial moments, the city was conferred the third title as a Royal Order, so Santiago’s City Hall was to proudly hold the title of “LOYAL CITY”, as an evidence of the fidelity shown to the Crown in different historic moments, which was an effort to gain acceptation and sympathy to the Spanish government.
As agreed by the delegates to the First Iberian-American-Philippian Congress of Municipalities, held in Madrid in 1955, Santiago de Cuba was awarded the title of “DISTINGUISHED MUNICIPALITY OF THE AMERICAS”, which appeared as the official letterhead in documents used by municipal offices. A plaque was designed with such title and put on the main door of the City Hall.
The fifth and last decoration given to Santiago de Cuba comprehensibly reflects the rich history of the city over the last three centuries. The title of “HERO OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA” and the “ANTONIO MACEO ORDER” were bestowed January 1, 1984, taking into account its decisive contributions to the total and definitive independence of the Cuban nation, as well as its deeply-rooted patriotic and revolutionary traditions.
